Wagon bolster



y 1, 1936. D. w. VOORHEES JR 2,048,149

WAGON BOLSTER Filed April 3, 1935 INVERTER- ELITYE.

Patented July 21, 1936 UNITED STATES WAGON BOLSTER Daniel W. Voorhees, Jr., Peru, Ill.

Application April 3,

3 Claims.

This invention is directed to bolsters for wagons and the like and a method of making the same.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a bolster having superior strength characteristics while at the same time being of simple construction and comparatively light in weight.

Another object is to provide a method whereby a bolster of the kind described may be made at low cost and with simple materials and equipment.

The structure of my bolster and method of making the same are fully disclosed in the following description and accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the same as it would appear ready to be included in a wagon assembly;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of the bolster with certain portions broken away to permit a clear view of details of construction as will be described; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view showing details of construction to be described.

Fig. 1 discloses my bolster as comprising a beam of material having an I section, designated I0, having the conventional web and flange portions. The beam may be fitted with upstanding stanchion members I l aflixed to each end, but the device is considered complete without them.

In Fig. 2 it is shown that, at the central portion of the beam, a portion of the web is removed to form an opening l2 extending substantially from the inner side of the lower, to the inner side of the upper flange.

In alignment with opening l2 concentrically disposed holes 13 are drilled, which latter are adapted to receive a bolt, not shown, by means of which the bolster is pivotally attached to a wagon structure also not shown.

Removal of material, such as has been described, from the central point of the beam would obviously materially reduce the strength of the structure and to obviate such undesirable result I provide reinforcing plates I4, placed as shown in Fig. 3.

The plates M are so proportioned as to fit between the flanges near the outer edges thereof. Since the conventional I beam section provides oppositely inclined surfaces as shown, it will be apparent that properly proportioned members l4 may be forced inwardly from each side of the beam to have a firm engagement therebetween.

After the plates M are placed as above the material of the beam and plates are united into an integral unit by welding at the lines of contact.

An additional reinforcement is provided which comprises a plate 15 secured by welding to the 1935, Serial No. 14,422

under side of the beam at a point below the plates l4.

Plate I5 is dimensioned as dictated by the requirements of practical use, as are plates l4.

The method of making the bolster is as 5 follows:

The opening I! is first formed in the web by any suitable means, such as punching, after which the reinforcing plates are installed as described and finally the holes I3 are drilled.

A slight variation of the method would consist of first forming the opening l2, drilling holes l3 and a complementary hole in plate l5 and assembling as described.

The foregoing has described a structure and 15 method of making a bolster in accordance with my invention. Modifications thereof are obviously possible without alteration of the principle involved. I do not Wish to be limited in structure or method except within the scope of 0 the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A bolster comprising a member having an I beam section, an opening in the web portion thereof intermediate the ends of the member, axially aligned holes passing through the top and bottom of the member in substantial alignment and communicating with said opening and reinforcement members disposed between the flange portions of the member upon both sides of the web opposite said opening, the same being welded to the flange portions to form an integral part thereof.

2. A bolster structure including in combination a member having an I beam section, an opening in the web portion thereof intermediate the ends of the member, axially aligned holes passing through the top and bottom of the member in substantial alignment and communicating with said opening, reinforcement members disposed between the flange portions of the member upon both sides of the web opposite said opening, and an additional reinforcement member disposed upon the bottom side of the member and surrounding one of said holes, said reinforcement members being welded to the body of the member to form an integral part thereof.

3. A bolster comprising a member having an I beam section, a reinforcing plate welded to the outer portion of the flanges of the I beam on each side of the web thereof, a bearing plate welded to the under side of the beam and below said reinforcing plates, and a king pin hole passing through the top, web and bottom of the beam between said reinforcing plates and through said bearing plate.

DANIEL W. VOORHEES, JR. 

